Dough-prcofing machine



1,656,890 S. SCHIFF DOUGH PROOFING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 17, 1928.

SlaMuNo Scmrr v amines* Jan. 17, 1928.

S. SCHIF F DOUGH PROOFING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 .r ma o flaw M m S Jan. 17, 1928.

S IGMuNu SCH/FF Patented Jan. V17, 1928.-

UNITED STATES 1,656,890 PATENT GFFICE.

SIGMNID SGI-IIFF, OF CINCINNATI, GHIO, ASSIGNR T THE J, E. DAY COMPANY, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

BOUGE-PROQFING' MACHINE.

Application iiled November 12, 1923. Serial No. 874,256.

My invention relates to devices to be used n prooiing lumpsof dough preparatory to nouldin and baking thereof.

' An obiect oi my invention is to provide a simple and efficient device of the class re- Eerred to.

Another object ci my yinvention is to provide a device in which the individual lumps )f dough will from time to time be moved elative to the carrier whereby topermit irying of the dough carrying means and orecluding adhesion of the dough on the zarrier.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device whereinv the likelihood of doubles is minimized whereby to edect eii- :ient co-operation of the proofer with a noulder. Doubles is a term employed in the baking-art and means the sticking to.- gether of two lumps of dough, each oi which lumps was intended for a separate and distinct loais oi bread or the like.

Another object oi my ,invention is te provide a' device that may be readily adapted to various conditions met in various baker- 'les without substantial modification oi the various co-operatingelements.

These and other objects are attained by the'means described herein, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

. Fi 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is aside elevation oi'a device similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but showing a mcdied proong'chamber.

Fig. 3 an enlarged sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation oi a device embodyingmy invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line 5 5 of Fi 4.

Fig. t is a ragmental perspective view ont a chain and trays forming details of my invention.

Fig. 7 is a view taken from` the left of 'he proofing chamber 10 is rovided within a suitable casing 11, thewalls of the casing carrying suitable brackets 12 and 13 that serve as .bearings for stub shafts 14 and transversely extending shafts 15, respectively.` The shafts 14 and 15 carry suitable sprockets 1G and 17, and about which sprockets-endless chains 18 and 19 extend.

The chains 18 and 19 are disposed lat oppo?y `about the shait the canvas this is readil site sides of the casing and carry transversely extending rods 20. The trays 21 are lformed by providing loops 22 in" a continuous piece of canvas, the loops 22 raising the .rods 2O and-.the canvas intermediate sucmachinery such as shafting. Whereas theA pockets or trays depend as the are moved oes not contact with the transversely yextending shafts 15.` It should be noted that as the flexible canvas pockets or trays alternately move upwardly and downwardly, the lumps of dough contained in the individual trays are rolled in the canvas pockets thereby subjecting all parts of the lumps of dough te the atmosphere in the prooier andthereby permitting the uniform drying of the about the whole lump of dough. The chains move in the directions of the arrows.-

In the structure shown in Fig. 2, the shafts 23 carried by the brackets2d at the forward end "of the casin 25' may extend transversely of the casing wile the shafts 26 carried by the brackets 27 at the rear of the casing are preferably stub shafts. The occasion for ap arent in view of the structure set fort in a ig. 1 and the explanation thereof and as well as b reference to Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 it will be note that the tra s moving toward the left depend from t e rodsv 20 and that if the shafts 26 extended across the casing` the trays would enga e such shaft. As the trays move toward t e right the lumps of dough are retained in the trays in ositions shown in Fig. 3, consequently the rays may, move about shafts 23 extending transversely of the casing without contactmg said shaitsu It should be noted that in the structures disclosed in both Figs. 1 and 2 the lumps of dough are retained in the position shown in Fig. 3 as the trays move toward the disharge device 28 shown in Fig. 1 and the discharge device 29 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In lthe discharge of the lumps of dou h the chains move vupwardly and for- -warly at an angle whereby to cause the pockets to discharge the lumps of dough as shown in Fig. 3 upon a transversely extending plate 30. The plate 30 is controlled from a cam ,31 carriedlny the shaft 32 driven from any suitable power supply such as, the

motor 33, earing 34, chain 35 and sprocket 36. The c ains 18 and 19 are driven from .the shaft 32. The cam 31 is engaged by a roller 37 carried by the roller arm 38 pivotally mounted at 39 on the frame 11. rlhe roller arm 38 has its one end pivotally connected by means of a link 40 to a crank 41 associated with and controlling the position of the plate 30. The plate 30 is pivotally mounted at 42 upon the frame. A fixed plate 43 is carried by the frame and with plate 30 forms a receptacle for temporarily retaining the lumpsof dough until the plate 30 is permitted to drop because of the cooperation of the cam 31 and the roller 37. The cam 31 is provided with notches 44 in its outer face into which the roller 37 enters for permitting the plate 30 to drop downwardly under the influence of the weight of the dou h and plate 30.

It wi be noted, by reference to Fig. 3, that as the canvas pockets move downwardly after passage beyond the discharge device that the pockets are disposed exteriorly of the way 45 formed in the casing and leading to the intake device or loading device 46.

As the trays pass about the shaft 47 at the bottom of the casing the' pocket will depend as .shown at 48. Lumps of dough are deposited in the pockets as the pockets are moved upwardly at the forward end of the way 45. The momentum of the lumps of dough passing to the trays may beutilized for pushing the pockets inwardly to positions shown at 49 in which position the pockets retain the lumps of dough. In Fig. l a positive means for pushing the canvas to the position shown at 49 is provided. The sha 47 carries at its end a cam 50. A roller arm 51 is connected with a pair of arms 53 supporting a transversely extending rod 54 and the arms 51 and 53 are mounted on the casing for oscillation. A spring 55 retains the roller 52 in engagement upon the cam 50. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the rod 54 is oscillated through the line of movement of the pockets and that this movement is utilized for pushing the canvas pockets rearwardly of the chains 18 and 19 preparator to the receipt of lumps of dough rom the oading device 46. The cam 50 also serves to control the loading of the trays. A bell crank lever 56 is pivotallly mounted on the casing and carries a roller 57 that engages cam 50. The upper end of the lever 56 is bifurcated, the branches being adapted to receive a pin 58. The pin 58 is carried by a bracket 59 of a tiltin support over which trays 60 are carried y a chain 61. The bracket 59 comprises upwardly extending arms 62 and 63 carrying transversely extending angles 64 and 65. The bracket 59 is mounted on the tube shaft '66 revolubly supported, on shaft 67. A second bracket 68 such as 59 is mounted on vthe tube shaft 66 and co-operates with the bracket 59 Sup ported in angles 64 and 65. From the fore going it will be apparent that movement o the bell crank lever 56 will serve to mov the brackets 59 and 68 about the shaft 67 consequently any trays such as 60 supporte( above the angles 64 and 65 will be tilted The trays are pivotally mounted on blockf 69 carried by the chain 61. The trays ar( so spaced on the chain and they bear such z relation to the cam 50 that the trays are tilted in units of a given number, for example 4, ir order to deposit an equal number of articles in each pocket. Suitable chutes 70 are provided for receiving the dough from the trays and for directing same into the loops, poc ets or trays 2l. As the trays leave the angles 64 and 65 their forward ends may engage n disc 71 arranged for movement with the sprocket 7 2 carrying the chain 61, the disc 7l effecting a positive tilting of the discharged trays as they move beyond the support of angles 64 and 65. As the trays move beneath the chute 70 the chain 61 is supported by a suitable channel bar 73. The guide bar 74 in the nature of an angle bracket and carried by the frame provides a front bear ing for the block 69 and precludes separation of the chain 61 from its track upon the channel 73. Suflicient space is provided below the front end of the guide bar 74 and the channel bar 73 for providing a way through which the hinge member 75 connect ing the block 69 and the tray 60, may extend. After the same has moved beyond the channel 73 it moves downwardly about a sprocket carried by the shaft 76. After the tray is moved beyond the channels 73 they are free to depend from the chain under the influence of gravity, consequently the trays assume a normal or upright position above the chain 61 as they pass upwardly toward the chute 77. The trays are rctained in the position shown in Fig. 5 until after they pass the sprocket 78. The gear housing 860 may be provided with any suitable cam or flange (not shown) for straight ening and positioning the traysto receive and retain dough from the chute 77. The sprocket 78 supports the chain 61. The trays are preferably provided with a bottom 79 and one side wall 80. The side wall 80 serves as a support to preclude the dough 81 from rolling ofi' the bottom 79 as the tray moves upwardly from the chute 77. The chute 77 is connected by a hinge 82 with a suitable support 83. A crank 84 is driven from a gear 85 by means of a gear 86 carried on the shaft 76. A link 87 pivotally carried by the crank 84 is pivotally connect ed with an arm 88 carried by the chute 77. The operation of the crank serves to vary the inclination ofthe bottom 89 of the chute 77 so that the chute is alternately moved to a substantially level position for receiving 3 lumps of dough and then tilted to dispharge them. By employing this device it is possible to permit the chute 77 to receive a lump of dough from the nozzle 90 and to retain saine until the chute is'moved to the position which a sprocket 98 is driven by means of a chain 99 for actuating an endless belt 100 disposed below, the discharge plate 30. The operation of my device is as follows:

Dough from a baller is discharged by way of the nozzleu 90 upn the chute 77. The

dou h in the chute 77 is then transferred to the trays assaid trays pass below the chutes 7 7 When a determinable number of trays have passed to the channels 64 and 65 the cam 50, operating through the bell crank lever 56 tilts the trays and causes samefto discharge the dough carried thereby into chutes from whence the dough passes into the flexible canvas trays 2.1. After the trays 60 have discharged they pass about the disc 71 and'assume the position shown in Fi s. 2 and 5. As the trays 60 pass beyond t e sprocket 7 8 they swing upon Btheir pivotal mountings and assume a position such' 1n relation to the chain lithat they may receive lumps of douglh from the-v chutes 77.

After the dough as been deposited in the pockets 21 it is carried through the 'proofing chamber 10. After the trays passl about the various sprockets and shafts in the proofing chamber the lumps o dough are rolled backward and forward in the 'canvas trays thereby exposing various parts oi the canvas and permitting dryingl o' the canvas and uniform drvin of t e skin on the dough. After the 'umps of dough have passed through the proofing chamber they are discharged as previously explained upon the trayA 30 from whence they are discharged upon the endless belt 100. The endless belt 100 may carry the lump place or any otherl suitable mechanism, for

Edi)

example, a moulder..

What'I claim. is:

Il. In a prooter the combination with a casing, of spaced endless chains mounted for movement through the casing, spaced rods connecting the chains, exible material eX- tending between adjacent rods for forming pockets, means for loading lumps of dough into the pockets, means for discharging dou h from the pockets, and means for directlng movement o. the pair of chains and.

of ydough to anyy pockets through parallel aths alternately in opposite directions where y t0 impart freuent intermittent rolling movement of the ough in the pockets as the lumps of dough move from the loading means to the discharge means.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a pair of endless chains for movement in unison, means for supporting and directing said pair of chains through parallel paths alternately in opposite directions, spaced rods connecting the chains. and iieXible pockets supported between adjacent rods and adapted to receive lumps of dough and to intermittently roll said lumps of dough as the pockets change direction of movement.

3. In a discharge device. of the class describedcomprising a pair of endless chains, spaced rods connecting the chains, flexible material between the rods forming pockets, the flexible material between adjacent rods being such as to permit same to overhang one of vthe adjacent rods, means for causing the flexible material to overhang one of the adjacent rods and means to move the chains, rods and pockets at an angle such that'the flexible material will recede from its overhanging position whereby to discharge the contents of the pockets.

4. In a 'device of the class described the combination of aopair of sprockets having aligned axes, a second oair of sprockets having aligned axes, a pair of endless chains, one each of the `chains en aging on each of said pairs of sprockets, t Ae sprockets being. so related that the chains are aligned transversely of the device,` rods connecting the chains, iiexible material extending between the rods, the iexible material between the adjacent rods being of a width in excess of the space between adjacent rods whereby pockets may be formed of said material between the adjacent rods, means for guiding the chains to the first mentioned pair of said sprockets in such manner that vthe pockets will on assing the said `first pairof sprocl'c, etsoverhang one of the rods supporting the 'flexible material forming said ocket, the movement of the chains being suc that each pocket will retain said overhanging position as it moves to the second pair of sprockets, and a third pair of lsprockets engaged by said chains and positioned so that theehains move upwardly at an angle from the second mentioned pair of sprockets whereby `to cause the flexible materialto recede fromv its overhanging position.

5. In a 'device of the class described the combination of a pair of sprockets having aligned axes, a second pair of sprockets having aligned axes, a pair of endless chains, ne each of the chains engaging on each of said pairs of sprockets the sprockets being so related that the chains are aligned transnie i overhang one of the rods supporting the flexible material forming said pocket, the movement of the chains being such that each pocket will retain said overhanging position as it moves to the second pair of sprockets, and a third pair of sprockets engaged by said chains and positioned so that the chains move upwardly at an angle from the second mentioned pair of sprockets whereby to cause the flexible material to recede from its overhanging position, a pivotally mounted plate below the upwardly inclined portion. of the chains and means for periodically oscillating the plate.

6. In a device of the class described the combination of a pair of sprockets having aligned axes, a second pair of sprockets having aligned axes, a pair of endless chains, one each of the chains engaging on` each of said pairs of sprockets, the sprockets be ing so related that the chains are aligned transversely of the device, rods 'connecting the chains1 flexible material extending between the rods, the iiexible material between the adjacent rods being of a width in excess of the space between adjacent rods whereby pockets may be formed of said material between the adjacent rods, means for guiding the chains to the first mentioned pair ot' said sprockets in such manner that the pockets will on passing by said first pair of sprockets overhang one of the rods supporting the lexible material forming said pocket, the movement of the chains being such that each pocket will retain said overhanging position as it moves to the second pair of sprockets, a third pair of sprockets engaged by said chains and positioned so that the chains move upwardly at an angle from the second mentioned pair 4of sprockets whereby to cause the flexible material to recede from its overhanging position, a pivotally mounted plate below the upwardly inclined portion of the chains, a second plate, the plates together forming a receptacle, and means for moving the pivotally mounted plate for discharging the receptacle.

7. In a device of the class described the combination of a pair of sprockets having aligned axes, a second pair of sprockets having aligned axes, a pair of endless chains, one each of the chains engaging on each ot' said airs of sprockets, the sprockets being so re ated that the chains are aligned transe versely of the device, rods connecting the movement of the chains being such that each pocket will retain said overhanging position as it moves to the second pair of sprockets, a third pair of sprockets engaged by said chains and positioned so that the chains move upwardly at an angle from the second mentioned pair of sprockets whereby to cause the iexible material to recede from its overhanging position, a pivotally mounted plate below the upwardly inclined portion of the chains, a second plate, the plates together forming a receptacle, means for moving the pivotally mounted plate for discharging the receptacle, and an endless conveyor below the plates for receiving articles from the receptacle.

8. In a device of the class described the combination of two pairs -of sprockets, a pair of' chains moving upwardly between said sprockets, rods connecting the chains, flexible material carried by the rods and forming pockets between succeeding rods, means for positively positioning the pockets in a vertical plane intermediate the axis of thelower sprockets and the vertically extending chain and means for depositing articles in the pockets.

9. In a dough proofing device the combination. of a pair of endless chains, rods connecting the chains, flexible pockets between the rods, means for depositing articles in the pockets, means for effecting continuous movement of the chains whereby the loaded pockets are repeatedly moved alternately in opposite directions and means for directing the chains through a path disposed at such an angle to cause said loaded pockets to be inverted under the influence of avity for discharging articles from the poc ets.

10. In a proofer the combination with a casing, of spaced endless chains mounted for movement through the casing, spaced rods connecting the chains, flexible material extending between adjacent rods for forming pockets, means for loading lumps of dough into the pockets, means for discharging dough from the pockets, and means for directing movement of the pair of chains and pockets alternately in opposite directions whereby to impart fre uent intermittent rolling movement of the ough in the pockets as the lumps of dough move from the loading means to the discharge means.

11. In a device of the class described tne ceive lumps of dough and to intermittently `combination of a pair of endless chains forv roll said lumps of dough as the pockets movement in unison, means for supporting change direction of movement. 10 and directing said pair ofchains alternately In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 5 in opposite directions, s aced rods connectsubscribed my name this 31st vday of Ocing the chains, and iexi 1e pockets support- ,toben 1923. ed between'adjacent rods and adapted to re- -SIGMUND SCHIFF. 

